Even a summer cottage with seasonal accommodation must be equipped with heating, otherwise during cold spells it will be very uncomfortable to stay in it. The choice of which heating system is best for a summer house largely depends on whether the house will be used in the winter.
What types of heating devices and heating systems are there?
The choice of heating for a country house, the type of energy used, the method of its installation and the method of operation are influenced by a number of factors. We are talking about the existing utilities (gas, electricity and water supply), the internal layout of the home, the characteristics of the building materials used, the number of people living, the intensity of visits to the house in winter. The efficiency of heating even depends on the type of foundation on which the house was built.
The most common types of energy carriers used for heating are:
- Electric Energy.
- Firewood, coal.
- Liquid fuel.
Gas heating
Gas boilers are considered the most economical and efficient devices for heating a country house. This is especially true for heating houses with year-round occupancy. Inside the boiler, the gas is burned and transformed into thermal energy that heats the water. Next, the circulation pump comes into action, supplying the heated coolant throughout the home. To free home owners from the need to constantly monitor the unit, an automatic control system is used. This allows you to be away from home for a long time even with the boiler running.
The main disadvantage of gas heating is the need to obtain a large number of permits, which make it possible to insert into the central pipe. You will also need to purchase and install a gas meter: this procedure is carried out exclusively by a specialist with the appropriate permit. An order of magnitude less paperwork arises when using bottled rather than main gas. However, this makes the operation of the equipment more complicated, because Constant monitoring of the fuel level and replacement of cylinders is required. This option is justified only if the gas main is located far from your place of residence.
A reducer is used to connect one or more cylinders to the boiler. If it becomes possible to connect to the central pipe, then the implementation of such a re-equipment of the system will not take much time and money. This heating installation scheme for a country house requires obtaining permission from the gas service. It is also necessary to install meters, which does not happen without the participation of gas specialists. If you dare to undertake such events on your own, this is fraught with significant fines.
Electric heating
Gasification has not yet touched all corners of our country, but there are usually no problems with electricity: it is available in almost any area. To be fair, it should be said that electricity is not the cheapest option for heating a home. This is compensated by its availability and compact dimensions of electrical appliances. Modern electrical equipment fits seamlessly into the interior of the dacha. As for installation, care and maintenance, this does not require much time or special skills.
There are the following options for heating a country house with electricity:
- Installation of an electric boiler and a water circuit with water heating.
- The use of individual electric heaters for each room in the house.
The principle of operation of electric water heating is similar to gas heating: after heating in the boiler, the coolant flows through the system to the radiators thanks to the circulation pump. The way electric heaters, fan heaters, infrared emitters, convectors and oil heaters function is familiar to almost everyone.
Achieving stable and efficient heating of a dacha with electric heaters is problematic. To do this, you need to turn them all on at the same time, which will lead to increased energy consumption. A more economical option is to install an electric boiler and water heating. It can be equipped with both conventional water batteries and a “warm floor” system. This is especially true for situations where the dacha has a basement and attic. The efficiency of such heating will be in no way inferior to gas heating.
Good electric boilers have a number of strengths:
- Quiet operation, during which no smoke, combustion products or unpleasant odors are emitted
- Easy to install, no special government permits required.
- Completely environmentally friendly and harmless to the environment.
- Automatic monitoring and control of the operation of the device, which does not require human presence.
- Absolute safety.
As for the disadvantages, the main one is high energy consumption. The average boiler has a power in the range of 3.5-7 kW, an electric heater - 1-2.2 kW. Before choosing heating for your dacha, you need to set up a separate electrical panel, connect RAM and other devices that automatically operate during accidents and overloads. In some cases, a three-phase electrical network will be required.
Alternative options for using electric energy for heating
Along with gas and electric heating equipment, there are other heating systems in the country. There are many alternative methods that are more economical, easier to install and operate.
Other options for heating a country house using electricity:
- One of the convenient heating systems for a country house is electric infrared emitters. Their specificity is that during operation of the devices, it is not the air in the room that is heated, but nearby objects. Already from them the heat is gradually released into the room. By such objects we mean, including the walls of the house. This allows for a very high heat transfer coefficient with minimal power consumption. The optimal location for installing this type of heater is ceilings or other high points in the room.
- As for electric fireplaces, they are characterized by high electricity consumption. Their main role comes down to a decorative rather than a practical function. In cases where there are no financial restrictions, an electric fireplace can quickly heat up a room.
- Electric convectors are characterized by high efficiency, low cost, lightweight and convenient designs. These devices are stationary and mobile, which makes it possible to install them anywhere in the room. Special devices are not needed for this, because the convector is equipped with its own legs, wheels or brackets.
- Oil-filled electric radiators are famous for the highest level of electricity consumption due to the significant inertia of heating. On the other hand, after turning off the power they also cool down very slowly. This mini heating for the dacha is available in stationary and mobile models.
- Thermal electric fans are an alternative way to heat a country house in winter. The cost of such devices is not very high, and the rate of heating the room is quite high. This is facilitated by the use of a blower fan to supply warm air into the room from the coil. The disadvantages of thermal wind blowers usually include noise during operation and drying of the air. If there are children in the room, it is advisable to compensate for the dry air with special humidifiers.
Heating a cottage with a stove
In those extreme cases when there is neither gas nor electricity at the dacha, the centuries-proven method of heating using a conventional wood stove remains. A brick structure is characterized by a long heating time and an equally long heat retention. If coal is used as fuel, such a stove demonstrates very good performance in heating a dacha. You just need to choose which stove to put in your dacha so that the heating is most efficient.
It is worth remembering the low cost of energy and the high inertia of the furnace. If necessary, food is prepared on it and water is heated for domestic needs. By making some changes to the stove design, you can even get gravity-fed water radiator heating: in this case, the hot coolant will circulate naturally.
The disadvantages of stoves usually include a high fire hazard (this is especially true for wooden houses). It is advisable to provide a separate room or extension for storing firewood or coal. In addition, maintaining constant combustion requires a certain supply of fuel in front of the stove itself: for this it is necessary to allocate and fence off a small place.
When exploring the question of what is the best heating for a country house without gas and electricity, we should remember two more devices:
- Fireplace. You can build it yourself, or you can purchase it ready-made. We are talking about metal structures with additional options. Homemade devices open up a wide field for experimentation with area, shape and function. Factory models are also subject to modification: mainly in terms of external finishing. For this purpose, decorative facing bricks are often used.
- Potbelly stoves. Familiar products made from an iron barrel or welded steel sheets. Modern factory modifications can be used in residential areas. They are presented in different forms and functional equipment. Additional options mainly include the ability to cook food and heat water.
Liquid fuel boilers
Quite economical heating for a summer house. Diesel fuel, waste fuel, fuel oil or kerosene can be used as fuel in such boilers. In combination, the system also contains a liquid heating circuit with batteries in all living areas of the dacha. To install an oil-fuel boiler, you will need a separate room (boiler room). The liquid energy carrier is stored in a specially designated place with good ventilation and fire safety.
HT boilers can feed one or two circuits (the second is intended for DHW). A double-circuit boiler can have a built-in boiler, which saves fuel and water. It is also possible to install a flow-through heater, including an electric one. The design of the HT boiler allows floor or wall installation.
Floor-standing models are characterized by fairly large sizes, which implies the need for a separate room. Any model of liquid fuel boiler makes a specific loud noise during operation. Wall-mounted appliances are allowed for installation in kitchens, for which they are placed in a special sound-absorbing housing.
Solid fuel boilers for summer cottages
Firewood, briquettes, coal, pellets, shavings, sawdust, straw, peat, etc. are used as fuel for such equipment. Basic energy resources are constantly becoming more expensive, solid fuel boilers are gaining more and more popularity. Such autonomous heating in a dacha operates only in combination with water circuits that deliver heated coolant to all rooms. Most often we are talking about circuits with forced circulation.
Positive characteristics of TT boilers:
- Reliability.
- Easy to install and maintain.
- Cheap equipment.
- Possibility of using different solid fuels.
- Autonomous operation and availability of safety monitoring devices.
- Significant duration of operation on one load of fuel (from 18 to 48 hours).
The disadvantages of solid fuel boilers usually include low efficiency and the need for a constant supply of energy resources, which are most conveniently stored in a separate room. As for maintenance, it comes down to cleaning the chimney and combustion chamber from soot.
A cottage in the country is not only a vegetable garden, it is also a great place to gather in good company and relax after a hard week of work, cook barbecue and just have a good time. They try to equip country houses with all amenities, such as sewerage and electricity; if the house is intended to be visited during cold weather, a heating system is added to these parameters. Thus, the house becomes a stronghold of calm and tranquility from the noise and bustle of city streets. Today we will talk about which heating to choose for a country house.
Heating a country house with a fireplace
Heating is one of the most important parameters for creating a comfortable atmosphere in a country home. Especially if it is inhabited in winter or with the onset of cold weather. Conventionally, these systems can be divided into:
- Stove heating is an excellent option for a small house;
- Water heating, for which special boilers are used;
- Electric heating. It is the simplest, but at the same time one of the most expensive.
There is also a division into general and local heating systems.
General system - is one device used in conjunction with pipes and radiators to heat the entire house.
Local system - uses separate heating for each room of the home.
Now let’s take a closer look at the types of heating and start with stove heating.
Stove heating of a country house
Its use is especially advisable if the house is located away from the central gas pipeline lines. As advantages, we can note the use of renewable energy sources, and if it is simpler, firewood and coal, this is especially true if there is a sawmill near a populated area, where wood waste from production can be purchased at a much lower price than simple firewood.
A well-installed stove is extremely durable and reliable, and most importantly, it is multifunctional, here you can heat water and cook food, and it smells something familiar, because our great-grandfathers used this type of heating at home. One of the disadvantages is the cost of building a stove, especially if you build one that is large enough in size, plus it takes a long time to heat up. But all these disadvantages can be compensated for by purchasing a portable wood-burning stove; it heats up quickly and is not so expensive, but it does not inherit all the advantages of a stone stove, so it is a double-edged sword.
Types of stoves
Oddly enough, stoves have their own classification according to the type of heating, which will be discussed below.
Single-chamber ovens are, one might say, an economical option. The fact is that its efficiency is the lowest among all its competitors, but there is a powerful plus, this is the cost. It is thanks to their low price that they are quite widespread and in demand. The principle of operation is simple, like everything ingenious, the pipe with air passes extremely close to the combustion chamber, from there and that’s it, warm air is ready for the house.
The open type of stoves, in addition to heating, has an important decorative role, often these are fireplaces, of course their efficiency is not so great, but aesthetically the fireplace looks very impressive. No stove will give you a cozy evening with a cup of tea and the dim light of dying wood. Although you can’t cook food on it, which is undoubtedly a minus.
Now let's weigh the pros and cons
- Good heating of rooms
- Mobility (except stone oven)
- Autonomy (throw the wood in and forget it)
- Multifunctionality (here is a stove and everything else)
- Fire hazard (especially for portable ones);
- The need to stock up on firewood and find a place for it;
- Place for the stove itself, chimney lining.
Water heating
A common heating system can be water heating, because in this case water is heated in a stove or boiler. In all country premises, coolant circulates through radiators and pipes.
Boilers are classified into:
- electric boilers;
- operating on liquid fuel;
- gas;
- solid fuel.
Heating is quite effective, but of course it is also expensive. But this also has its advantages; you can come to the dacha around the clock. This version of the heating system is well suited for those who will often come to their dacha in winter, but if not, then you should think carefully about whether it is worth making such efforts and costs for this type of heating.
Electric heating
As already mentioned, this is the easiest way to heat a room, for several reasons. First, such devices are quite cheap and small. Second, electricity is available almost everywhere. Well, it’s worth noting their relative safety. But there is also a minus: far from civilization, there are frequent cases of power outages, and although its supply is restored relatively quickly. But if outages are quite frequent in your area, you can seriously think about purchasing fuel generators.
Fan heaters
As with any other units, there are several classifications, and the first one we will consider is fan heaters. They traditionally, as the name suggests, consist of a propeller and a heating element. Which come from metal tubes, glass, in the form of a spring or spiral, and of course ceramic.
Fan heater “Breeze” for heating a country house
The most significant division lies in the design features of these devices, namely:
- axial;
- diametrical;
- diagonal;
- bladeless.
All of them deserve your attention, but unfortunately they are not without drawbacks, the most striking being air drying. So dry lips and a parched throat are guaranteed. Also, the noise produced during operation and the unpleasant side effect of burning oxygen can cast doubt on your comfort. And their power is not great; of course, such devices may be suitable for small rooms, but hardly for large ones. Moreover, even various operating modes cannot compensate for this, so it is recommended to use fans in conjunction with other heating devices.
Oil batteries
For the most part, they are a heated tank filled with oil, but not simple, but with a high heating temperature, wheels or legs, on which the entire structure is attached. They are quite popular due to their ease of use and safety of use. Thus, you can safely plug in the battery you just purchased and go about your business without fear for your property.
Like fan heaters, batteries dry out the air a lot, and this is an absolute minus, but the plus is that after heating you can turn them off, and they will give off their heat for a long time.
Convectors
This is one of the best options for warming up your country house. Convectors have a number of serious advantages over their competitors. The first rightfully is the design, it is small and after installation it looks like an ordinary apartment battery. Secondly, it operates around the clock, even during the day or at night, it will heat the air.
Infrared heaters
One of the latest technological innovations in the field of space heating, it has far-reaching prospects and is gradually gaining popularity. They were first used to heat production areas of large plants and factories, where infrared heaters quickly proved their effectiveness. They have no drawbacks as such, even if you put them on the street. All this thanks to the infrared emitter, which acts in the same way as the sun, heating the place where it is directed.
Summing up - what heating to choose for a country house?
When asking which heating to choose for a country house, focus on safety as the main parameter. Because it is the country house that is most susceptible to fires. It is necessary to pay attention to the stability of the heater operation so that the heat is released and distributed evenly. After all, the most important thing at the dacha is comfort.
Picture 1. Installation diagram for heating a country house using solid fuel
Types of fuel for country heating
For heating a dacha, the most polar types of fuel are electricity and solid fuel. Classic options, such as a stove, fireplace, as well as various electric heating devices (convectors, oil radiators, infrared panels, fan heaters) are applicable only for small buildings and have a number of disadvantages:
- The stove can only heat the rooms in which it is located, has a very low efficiency and a long warm-up time.
- For electric convectors, it is necessary to provide in advance an electrical distribution throughout the house that can withstand the appropriate load.
- Ceiling heaters, due to the lack of grounding, are not safe.
- Electric floor heating systems consume a lot of electricity but produce little heat.
The most optimal, from our point of view, option for heating a country house is to install a heating boiler and radiators with a system filled with coolant, which is a non-freezing liquid.
Heating a cottage with a solid fuel boiler
Let's consider a diagram of a closed heating system with a solid fuel boiler.
To regulate the temperature of the coolant, most modern solid fuel boilers are equipped with temperature regulators. This regulator is connected by a chain to the air damper and regulates the air supply to the boiler. The higher the boiler temperature, the more the air damper closes so that the set boiler water temperature does not exceed.
In a closed heating circuit, it is imperative to install a safety group with a safety valve and an air vent, as well as an expansion tank. To protect the boiler from corrosion, a three-way mixer with a sensor is installed on the boiler return line. Until the temperature of the boiler return line heats up above 55 degrees, the circulation pump rotates the coolant through the boiler circuit without supplying it to the heating radiators. As soon as the return temperature exceeds 55 degrees, the three-way mixer will open and the coolant will begin to flow into the heating radiators, which, when heated, will release heat to the room.